Indian internet users to overtake US

According to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) report, the number of Internet users in India is expected to reach 402 million by the end of December 2015, registering a growth of 49 per cent over last year. As per the report, about 306 million of the users will access Internet from their mobile devices, up from 276 million in October this year.The number is predictable to further rush to 462 million by June next year as more people come will access internet through mobile devices.

The total Internet user base stood at over 300 million in December last year, which grew to 375 million by October this year.

At present, India has the third largest Internet user base in the world but it is expected to overtake the United States as the second largest base.

Meanwhile, China currently leads with more than 600 million Internet users.

The mobile Internet user base in Indian cities has grown 65 per cent over last year to reach 197 million, while the rural user base surged 99 per cent to 80 million by October this year and this is expected to grow to 219 million (urban) and 87 million (rural), respectively.

The report also found that of all the Internet non-users surveyed in the 35 cities, 11.4 million were eager to access the Internet in the next one year with over two-thirds intending to do so through mobile devices.